Monday was a long day. After visiting my mom that morning, I went into the office and I worked until late. I had sent Lydia home just around six and told her I didn’t want her staying any later. My crazy clients were being block heads on this deal. It was enough to make me want to walk away, but after all the hours all the work, I didn’t want to give up. I plunged forward, I dug my heels in and I tried harder. I was so determined, so focused that I never heard her come in.
“God how you remind me of Dad, sitting there.”
I looked up and smiled as I looked at my little sister.
“Kerrigan! What are you doing here?”
She moved into the office and came toward me.
I stood up and moved to wrap my arms around her in a hug.
“Do I need a reason to see my big brother?”
I shook my head no. “Is everything okay? Mom? Lucy? Mick?”
Kerrigan smiled, “We’re all fine Jax. I was visiting Mom earlier today and she told me you were there this morning. I was surprised.”
I moved back to sit down on my chair and Kerrigan sat down as well across from me.
“I’ve been trying Kerr. I have been busy here and I missed a day or two when I should have been there for Mom, but I’m trying.”
Kerrigan nodded. “Are you happy Jax?”
I looked at her puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Kerrigan stood up and said, “Jax, Mom told me about Lacie.”
I leaned back in my chair. I couldn’t help but smile. “Okay. What did she say?”
Kerrigan looked at me and told me pretty much what I had told Mom earlier that day.
I laughed and said, “That’s pretty much it. I didn’t tell Mom everything though.”
Kerrigan sat back down and said, “Spill.”
I told my sister the whole story, including how the night ended and how I woke up, to the drunk phone call and the up-coming date.
Kerrigan stood up. “Jackson, I have to tell you something.”
I laughed and said, “Wow this must be serious you used my full name.”
She smiled at me. “Not serious but, interesting.”
I nodded at her, “Okay, as you said, spill.”
Kerrigan started, “I know Lacie.”
I stood up and said, “How?”
She continued, “So does Mom.” I ran my hands through my hair, “How?”
“Jax, she’s an aide at the nursing home. She takes care of Mom. Mom adores her. She has dinner with her every night and Lacie reads to her after dinner.”
I looked at Kerrigan and smiled. “Really?”
She nodded at me. “Jax? Why do you not seem surprised?”
I grinned at my sister. “I read some of Lacie’s story that she’s been reading to Mom. Mom spilled the beans. So sis, so tell me what’s her deal?”
Kerrigan shrugged, “I don’t really know, but Mom told me that she talked to her about you. She really cares for you Jackson, but she’s scared.”
I moved over to the bar where I had some rum stocked. I poured myself a glass, motioning to Kerrigan and she shook her head no.
“How does she not know that I’m Mom’s son?”
Kerrigan smiled, “Because you keep forgetting to bring your pictures in for Mom. There is not one picture in her room of you. Plus, we only call you Jax normally. Lacie only knows you as Jackson.”
I smiled at Kerrigan. “She’s amazing isn’t she?”
Kerrigan nodded. “I like her a lot Jax. Lucy loves her and Mom, well she’s ready to plan a wedding.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I can barely get Lacie to spend time with me, I don’t think a wedding is happening anytime soon.”
Kerrigan smiled, “I haven’t heard you laugh in a long time Jax. But there’s more.”
I moved over and perched myself on the edge of my desk in front of Kerrigan. She reached into her bag and turned handing me some paper. The heading simply said, “The Story.” I looked back at Kerrigan.
“I don’t understand?”
Kerrigan put her hands on mine. “You need to read this Jax. This is the story that Lacie has been reading to Mom. I’m guessing the same one you were reading some of to Mom. She told Mom that it is not a ‘true’ story, it’s made up. But Mom believes that it’s Lacie’s story and honestly, I’ve read it. I believe it is too.”
My hands shook for a moment and I glanced down at the page staring up at me.
“Jax.”
I looked up at her. “It’s scary how much loss and pain she’s suffered. I don’t want to see her hurt anymore. She’s feeling something for you, I’m afraid, well I’m afraid of what could happen if this,” she waved her hands at me, “doesn’t work out.”
I nodded at my sister. “Kerr?”
She looked up at me.
“Do I want to read this?”
She shook her head yes. “Some of it you don’t, but you need to Jax. You have to understand Lacie and what she’s been through.”
I nodded.
“Oh and one more thing, Jax. Mom is setting you up Wednesday night. Lacie will be there. She always gets done at five, changes her clothes then goes to sit with Mom while she eats dinner, then she reads to her before going home for the night.”
I stood up straighter. “Mom said, she’s going to read some more of her story to her. She stopped reading after Mom realized she was talking about you. You’ll know where that is when you read it.”
I smiled at my sister, “I know Mom is setting me up. I asked her if that’s why she wanted me there earlier. She said yes. I also read the part of the story to Mom where Lacie mentions my name. I think Mom stopped her there because she wants me to walk in while she’s reading more about me.”
I smiled and Kerrigan laughed. “Mom’s still pretty sharp isn’t she?”
I nodded again at my sister. “There is something about her Kerr. Something I can’t stop thinking about. She’s funny when she lets go of whatever she’s holding inside. She’s real. I don’t know where it’s going, but I know I want to find out.” Kerrigan nodded at me and smiled.
“Kerr? Can you do me a favor?”
She nodded, “I need to know who her friend is, her name is Abigail. I need to talk to her before this weekend.”
Kerrigan nodded, “I’m on it. I’ll ask around. She has a friend at the nursing home, I think her name is Vanessa. I’ll ask her.”
I moved to my sister and hugged her. “Thank you for all of this.”
Kerrigan hugged me back then headed out of the office.
She stopped at the doorway. “Jax.”
I looked up at her.
“Just be happy.”
I smiled, “I’m trying Kerr.”
After my sister left I sat down at my desk, my work forgotten and I read the story Lacie had been reading to my mom from the beginning. My heart broke for her. I wanted to kill the men who had hurt her, especially the last one. I cried for her when I read about her losing her baby and then two days later losing her dad.
“Oh my God Lacie! What hell you have felt, the pain.”
I stared down at the pages before me and I wondered how she even functioned on a daily basis. She had just shut herself down completely. How do you do that without losing yourself in the process? How do you survive not letting anyone close to you? Her friend Abigail, she will hold more answers. I have to talk to her.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked at the pictures and text that she sent. There was a picture of two little girls with Lacie and the smile on her face was incredible. Then there was a picture of Lacie with Abigail. Her smile was just as incredible and the message was received loud and clear.
‘This girl means the world to me, to us. You hurt her I’ll hurt you, she cares for you and she never cares for anyone anymore. Take care of her, she is my family and I love her as much as I love my girls.’
I was pretty sure that Lacie didn’t know about that message or the photos, but I would definitely be telling her about it. I will be telling her about the story I read and about my talk with Kerr. I will not hurt her by keeping secrets. She needs to know.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out. I laughed at the text I received.
GO HOME, JACKSON!
It was from Lydia.
I looked down at my desk and smiled. I packed up Lacie’s story and went home. Once I was home, I texted Lydia back.
I’m home, boss, thanks for caring.
She messaged back.
Good, now start making plans for your weekend. Sweep her off her feet, or Plan B, Jackson. I will not work with an ogre again.
I laughed out loud and smiled.